The Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund - a $5.6 million investment to help 11 not-for-profit organizations support social enterprises access the capital and business supports needed to grow, create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, and free preschool child care from 2 ½ to kindergarten.

Quick Facts

Ontario is investing $13.6 million to advance social enterprise and social finance initiatives throughout the province.

Social enterprises use business strategies to drive social, environmental and economic change. These enterprises intend to create a positive outcome while generating revenues from the sale of goods and services — as their business grows, their social impact grows.

Ontario is also investing in tools and resources that support social enterprises to measure their impact. This will help them attract investor, government and community support. The project is in partnership with Carleton University.

There are an estimated 10,000 social enterprises in Ontario. They generate an average of $1.2 million in revenues, including almost $1 million in sales, and each generate an average of 38 jobs.

An estimated 45 per cent of the world’s social entrepreneurs are women — a smaller gender gap compared to conventional entrepreneurial activity.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“We want Ontario to be the leading centre for social enterprise in North America and we’re looking to provide these important organizations with the tools they need to grow. When we foster an environment where social enterprises can thrive, we are taking steps toward making our world a better place.”

Steven Del Duca

Minister of Economic Development and Growth

“Ontario’s social enterprises are redefining business by creating innovative solutions to social challenges. That’s why our province is committed to supporting the sector, helping organizations make an even greater impact on our communities while accelerating the growth of Ontario’s economy.”

Cristina Martins

, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Growth